Stadiums On Alert Following Threat

March 11, 2006 — The FBI has warned stadium operators of a possible suicide bomb attack at sporting events — even though it cannot assess the credibility of a posting about the alleged threat on an extremist message board nor is it aware of any imminent threat.

Still, the FBI says the message is getting broad distribution on known extremist Websites, described as a cost-efficient way to kill thousands of Americans.

March Madness Threatened?

The alert comes as college basketball tournaments around the country are getting under way.

The Big East tournament is being held at Madison Square Garden in New York and stadium and local police said they had been notified of the warning.

There was no visible sign of enhanced security Friday night, and spectators seemed to be taking the warning in stride.

"We're Americans and we're going to continue living our lives the way we always do, not be intimidated by anything," said a young man.

Another woman added, "After 9/11, we never let anything stop what we did. I mean, there's no use. … Life's short, enjoy it."

No Specific Stadiums Named

No specific stadium or sport was named, but the Website posting described in detail how an attack should take place — involving blonde or black American Muslims who could hide explosive belts under winter clothing.

The author urged one bomber to detonate inside the stadium, while others waited at exits, ready to detonate as spectators tried to flee the first blast.

Sports stadiums are regarded as so-called soft targets, and U.S. officials are well aware of the target a big event like the Super Bowl could be.

"In a post 9/11 era, it is a prime target," Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully Cummings said. "We have to make sure we have a high level of security."